Actor Archives - David LaPorte Studio

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing, Headshot Tips 0 comments tags: Actor, Actress, Auditions, Bobby McGee, Casting Directors, Headshots, Readings

A Producer Shares 7 Tips on Booking Acting Jobs

Bobby McGee is a funny man and also happens to be great actor. He’s worked many years in the business in both comedy and drama showcasing his talent in both film and television. Some of his credits include: “Hollywood Shuffle”, “A Soldier’s Story,” “Harlem Nights,” “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Married with Children.” His successful acting career has naturally segued into producing. Having worked with legendary director Robert Townsend over the years, he’s now collaborating with him on a movie project. It’s the third feature that’s he’s produced and in this blog he shares 7 tips on booking acting jobs and what an actor needs to know when going into a casting session. These 7 tips are sure to help. 1.) Make sure your headshot looks just like you. The biggest mistake an actor can make is walking into a room and not being properly represented by the photo. The people in the room will immediately throw your picture in the waste basket because you have wasted their time. 2.) Don’t talk too much in the audition. If you’re there to do the work don’t get carried away taking everybody‘s time. Time is money and they have many actors to […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing 0 comments tags: Acting Techniques, Actor, Actress, Casting Directors, Film Set, Movie Making, Movie Roles

The Positive & Negatives of Making Your Own Movie

In Hollywood there’s an adage that if you can’t get work- do it yourself. Nothing is handed to you in Hollywood. Success is the result of hard work and diligent consistency. Some actors make the mistaken notion that once they land an agent or manger their career will just coast – nothing can be further than the truth. An actor must be continually working on their career regardless if they have an agent or not. I’ve always believed that we should take charge of our career. Sometimes an actor can feel helpless waiting by the phone to ring. But the creative process is an interesting animal. As we focus on our craft we build more confidence in our ability to be more in control of the path we take. Making your own movie is one way to do this. I asked one of my clients Aylia Colwell to share her 5 positive and negative experiences in making her own movie. I was impressed by her resolve that I thought it might help other actors that wanted to be in control of their career. As you will see the experience is very rewarding but there will challenges that go along with […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing 0 comments tags: Acting Techniques, Actor, Actress, Apple Computers, Casting Directors, Social Media

What We Can Learn From Apple

This was a big week for Apple. Not only did they unveil their new iPhone 6 models, but also the new revolutionary Apple watches and mobile payment system. Since its early days Apple has led the tech market with all of its innovations. For it to stay on top it needs to continually put out products pertinent in today’s fast moving highly technological world. Like Apple, we too, must stay on the cutting edge of our career. I always make it a practice to ask my acting clients if they utilize the available social media. Surprisingly, many have yet to tap into the potential of how it can benefit their career. What may not be realized is that social media is free advertising. It allows us a platform where we can shape and create a marketing advantage. Successful companies do not rest on their laurels, and neither should we. Our career, or marketing image, should always be evolving to stay in pace with trends and new ideas that are always flowing. Can we afford to rely on the old system of waiting for things to happen? Don’t we have at our disposal the very tools to make things happen? Our […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Headshot Tips, Photography Techniques 0 comments tags: Actor, Actress, Camera Angles, Headshot, Lightning, Photo Session, Photographer, Photography Studio

Actor Headshot Tips

There are a few tips you can remember when getting your headshots done. It helps to have an idea of what you are doing before the actual start of the session. The first thing to remember is that a great photograph is about capturing energy. No matter how well it’s lit or framed, the photo will come across as being contrived without energy. I suggest trying to engage the photographer in conversation to help build that connection. Like in acting, the more you can connect by finding similarities, the better your picture will become. Try to stay away from any posed and rigid positioning the photo will not pop and tend to look unnatural. It’s also important to know that camera angles can change the way your face is photographed. For example, if the camera is higher than the subject it will tend to capture the eyes and help make them pop. If shot from a lower angle the jaw line will stand out and it will appear stronger. Just moving your head just a bit can greatly change the way your quality comes across. It’s always good to know if the lighting the photographer is using is soft and […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Headshot Tips 0 comments tags: Actor, Actress, Headshots, Makeup Artist, Makeup Tips, Parabans, Sulfites

Makeup Tips from Makeup Artist

Laurel Wiley is a professional and caring makeup artist. She see’s each client as an individual and applies makeup to highlight that individuality. One of the most important things that I look for in a makeup artist is how friendly they are with my clients. If the client is uncomfortable having their makeup done it will reflect when I start taking pictures. Also, if the makeup isn’t right, the photos won’t look their best. I always talk with my clients before we start makeup and make sure that we are on board with what they have in their mind. We always start with the clean, natural look and eventually (if the client wants) add more to match the various looks. First and foremost the makeup must look like you; always be aware when a makeup artist says that it will look different through the camera. If you’re not comfortable when you look in a mirror, chances are you won’t like it when you see the photos. Makeup Artist Laurel Wiley Laurel Wiley has been doing makeup and training makeup artists for 25 years. These are a few things she recommends. Photography has changed in the digital aspect so makeup has […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing, Headshot Tips 0 comments tags: Actor, Actress, Casting Directors, Headshots, Photo Session, Portfolio

Why a Headshot Photographer’s Personality Is so Important

I was reading an article by Casting Director Carolyne Barry and something stuck out that got my attention. In the article she mentions things to consider when choosing a headshot photographer. One in particular stood out- the importance of considering the personality of the headshot photographer when looking to book a photo session. We hear so much about bringing out our own personality in the shoot. For that to happen there must be a comfort level with the photographer to begin with. I’m glad she brought this up because it’s an important point. I suggest that you take the time to either meet, or at the very least talk to them over the phone. How comfortable do you feel with their voice? Are they taking the time to answer even the simplest of questions? How flexible are they with your schedule? How much time are you given in the photo session? There’s no mistake that your personality depends on who you work with. I always start by sitting down and talking with the client. I want them to express any concerns or ideas that would otherwise be on their mind throughout the shoot. Openness, the essential ingredient in a shoot, […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Headshot Tips, Photography Techniques 0 comments tags: Actor, Actress, Casting Agents, Headshots, Photo Session

A Different Approach to Headshots

Taking headshots isn’t always necessarily equated with having fun. In fact, it can be quite stressful. Actors realize there’s a lot on the line with their headshot in terms of getting work. Because of this, the headshot session can be looked at with dread rather than enjoyment. Yet, a photo session should be fun. The ‘stress factor’ should be dealt with at the very beginning so that it doesn’t get in the way. When you are having fun, your personality is going to come through. Casting agents respond to photos that exude energy. Because of this, I am always looking for ways to allow more enjoyment in the photo session. One such way that should be considered is to bring a friend along to the shoot. The friend could also have photos taken. This option may not be considered because of the concern that another person will take away from their time. But if you have a good friend, one that you are comfortable with, it could only deepen the experience. Just recently I took pictures of two actresses (Lonni and Savannah) They both needed headshots and asked if they could come in together. I naturally agreed because I think […]

Oct 06

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing 1 comments tags: Actor, Actress, Casting Agency, Networking, Social Media

7 Business Tips to Help Your Acting Career

It is essential that an artist understands how to utilize their business skills. A valuable tool to success is lost when this is overlooked. Below are 7 tips to implement into your acting career. 1. First and foremost identify your market- Who you are and what you are selling must be clearly defined. 2. Understand your uniqueness- although there are thousands of actors competing for roles, there is only one you. You can chart out a career you want by utilizing your creative choices. It all starts from within. 3. Knowledge is power. Know the people that are position to help your career. Do the research. Nothing is more impressive to an interviewer than preparation. Have a clear vision of what you want and target the people that fit best with who you are. 4. Ultimately Hollywood is about packaging and marketing. Until you have a team that is doing it for you it’s important to do it yourself. This is the language that Hollywood speaks. 5. Map out a 3 year, 5 year, and 10 year evaluation. This is not to judge your path to success, but rather, a guidepost. Commit to a plan and stick with it. 6. […]

A Producer Shares 7 Tips on Booking Acting Jobs

The Positive & Negatives of Making Your Own Movie

What We Can Learn From Apple

Actor Headshot Tips

Makeup Tips from Makeup Artist

Why a Headshot Photographer’s Personality Is so Important

A Different Approach to Headshots

7 Business Tips to Help Your Acting Career

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